The Traveling Tinsleys

Tag: credit-cards

  • How to make travel days smoother

    Spring break chaos + wild weather + TSA staffing shortages = travel days not so smooth lately 😵‍💫🥴😵‍💫

    But here’s the hack most people sleep on 👇
    The right travel card can completely change your airport experience.

    ✔️ TSA PreCheck = skip the long lines
    ✔️ Lounge access = calm, comfy, and FREE snacks/drinks

    Trust me… these two perks alone make flying 10x smoother 🙌

    Comment “TSA” and I’ll send you my full guide to stress-free travel days ✈️💼

    How to Survive Travel Chaos (and Actually Enjoy the Airport)

    Between spring break crowds, unpredictable weather, and TSA staffing shortages, flying lately can feel like a full-contact sport. Long lines, delays, and packed terminals are becoming the norm—but your travel experience doesn’t have to match the chaos.

    The difference? Using the right credit card benefits strategically.

    The Two Benefits That Change Everything

    If you do nothing else, prioritize these:

    1. TSA PreCheck (or Global Entry)

    This is your fast pass through security.

    • Shorter lines
    • Keep shoes, belt, and laptop in your bag
    • Typically saves 20–40+ minutes

    When airports are overwhelmed, this is the single biggest time-saver.

    2. Airport Lounge Access

    This is the upgrade most people underestimate.

    Instead of fighting for a seat at a crowded gate, you get:

    • Quiet, clean space to relax
    • Free food and drinks
    • Wi-Fi and charging stations
    • A much calmer environment during delays

    When flights get pushed back, lounge access goes from “nice to have” to essential.

    The Card I Use: Venture X

    Venture X + Priority Pass

    To really level up your travel setup, I also recommend the Capital One Venture X.

    What makes Venture X so powerful:

    • ✔️ Includes Priority Pass membership
    • ✔️ Access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide
    • ✔️ TSA PreCheck / Global Entry credit
    • ✔️ Capital One lounge access (at select airports)

    Why Priority Pass is clutch

    It gives you:

    • Access to lounges across different airlines and airports
    • Options internationally and domestically
    • A backup plan when your primary lounge isn’t available

    👉 Apply for the Venture X here

    Pro Tips for Smoother Travel Days

    • Arrive earlier during peak seasons (spring break gets wild)
    • Enroll in TSA PreCheck ASAP
    • Check lounge access rules before arriving
    • Use lounges during delays—not just before boarding
    • Keep both physical and digital copies of your cards/memberships

    Want Help Picking the Right Card?

    If you’re not sure which card fits your travel style, I’ve got you.

    There are plenty of great options that include:

    • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits
    • Lounge access (Priority Pass, airline lounges, or both)

    👉 I’m happy to recommend the best cards based on your travel habits—just reach out or drop a comment and I’ll point you in the right direction.

  • The 3 Rules You Must Understand Before Starting the Points & Miles Game

    So you want to start earning free flights, hotel stays, and finally take that dream trip with your family?

    I love it. You’re in the right place.

    But before you start applying for every shiny credit card you see online… let’s slow down.

    At Get Them Points, we play this game smart. And there are three rules you absolutely need to understand before diving in.

    Because done right? This strategy can help everyday families travel more than they ever thought possible.

    Done wrong? It can cost you money and add stress.

    Let’s do it right.

    My family taking a cooking class in Italy. All thanks to points & miles.

    Rule #1: If You Don’t Pay Your Credit Cards Off in Full — This Is Not for You

    I’m going to say this with love.

    If you carry a balance month to month… the points and miles game is not for you (yet).

    This strategy only works if:

    • You pay your credit cards off in full
    • Every. Single. Month.
    • On time.

    Interest cancels out any value you gain from points. Period.

    The magic of this strategy is earning large welcome bonuses — not paying interest.

    Here’s what most people don’t realize:

    👉 When done correctly, earning credit card welcome bonuses can actually increase your credit score.

    Why?

    • More available credit lowers your utilization ratio.
    • On-time payments build strong payment history.
    • Responsible usage shows lenders you can manage credit.

    My husband and I both have 800+ credit scores, and they’ve actually gone up since we started strategically earning points.

    But that only happens because we treat our credit cards like debit cards — we never spend money we don’t already have.

    If you’ve mastered that habit? You’re ready.

    Rule #2: Space Out Your Applications (30–90 Days Apart)

    This is not a sprint. It’s a long-term family travel strategy.

    Banks don’t love seeing multiple credit inquiries all at once. A bunch of applications in a short period can:

    • Lower approval odds
    • Trigger denials
    • Slow your momentum

    Instead, space your applications 30–90 days apart.

    Points and miles isn’t about grabbing one bonus. It’s about building a plan that helps you:

    • Visit grandparents more often
    • Take that Europe trip you’ve been dreaming about
    • Book spring break without draining your savings

    Slow and strategic always wins.

    Rule #3: Understand the Chase 5/24 Rule

    Before you apply for anything, you need to understand one of the most important rules in this game:

    The Chase Bank 5/24 rule.

    Here’s what it means:

    If you have opened 5 or more personal credit cards (from any bank) in the past 24 months, Chase will likely deny you for most of their cards.

    And Chase offers some of the most valuable beginner-friendly travel cards.

    So if you’re just getting started, it’s often smart to:

    • Start with Chase cards
    • Be intentional about what counts toward 5/24
    • Keep track of your applications

    I recommend using the Travel Freely app to track your 5/24 status. It’s free and makes it easy to stay organized.

    We’ll talk about business cards soon (because they can be a powerful part of your strategy and change how 5/24 impacts you), but for now — focus on understanding your personal card count.

    Final Thoughts: This Is for Real Families

    The points and miles world can feel overwhelming at first.

    But if you follow these three rules:

    1. Pay your cards off in full.
    2. Space out applications.
    3. Respect 5/24.

    You’re already ahead of most beginners.

    If you are ready to get started, we recommend starting with this card so you can:

    • Say yes to trips
    • Show your kids the world
    • Create memories without wrecking your finances

    You don’t need to open five cards tomorrow.

    You just need to start smart.

    And once you do?
    Travel starts to feel a whole lot more possible.

  • Getting Started With Points & Miles

    Award travel looks complicated from the outside.
    But it really comes down to two simple steps:

    1. Use your credit card like a debit card and earn points from the spending you already do.


    2. Pick the right rewards card so one good signup bonus can cover a flight or hotel night.

    That’s it.

    That’s how I started — and it’s still how I book so much of my travel today.

    This simple strategy makes travel more affordable and a lot more fun.

    First — The Foundation Matters

    Before we go any further:

    You need good credit and you need to be able to pay your cards off in full every single month.

    If you’re carrying balances or working on your credit score right now — that’s okay. Start there. Build that foundation first. This hobby only works if you’re not paying interest. Points are never worth going into debt for.

    The Biggest Beginner Misconception

    A lot of people think:

    “I should just get the airline I fly most.”
    “I’ll get the hotel card for the hotel I like.”

    And while those cards can make sense later…

    If you only use one airline or one hotel card for everyday spending, it can take years to earn enough points for a free trip.

    You might earn:

    • 1–2 points per dollar
    • Slowly building toward a redemption

    Meanwhile…

    One strong signup bonus from a flexible travel card can earn you enough points for a free flight or hotel stay in just a few months.

    That’s the difference.

    Instead of slowly earning toward a trip over years, one strategic bonus can get you there much faster.

    Why I Love Flexible Points

    When you’re just getting started, I strongly recommend earning flexible points instead of locking yourself into one airline or hotel program.

    Flexible points give you options.

    You can:

    • Book travel through a bank portal
    • Transfer to airline partners
    • Transfer to hotel programs
    • Or redeem for simple travel purchases

    That flexibility is everything when you’re new — and it protects you from being stuck with points you can’t use.

    My Favorite Starter Card: Chase Sapphire

    If I were starting over today, I would begin with the Chase Sapphire.

    Why?

    • Strong welcome bonus
    • Flexible points that transfer to valuable travel partners
    • Easy-to-use travel portal
    • Beginner-friendly ecosystem

    One good signup bonus alone can easily cover:

    • A roundtrip domestic flight
    • Multiple short-haul flights
    • Or a couple of hotel nights

    That’s the power of one card done strategically.

    We have stayed at a few all inclusive resorts by transferring flexible points

    Apply here.

    What About Capital One Venture X?

    I also love the Capital One Venture X — and I actually think it’s a great early card to consider.

    Yes, it has a higher annual fee.

    But here’s what comes with it:

    • Large welcome bonus
    • Annual $300 travel credit
    • Anniversary bonus miles each year
    • Airport lounge access
    • Simple 2x earning on everything
    • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

    When you factor in the travel credit and anniversary miles, the annual fee can effectively offset itself if you travel even a little.

    Another reason I often suggest getting it earlier rather than later:
    Capital One can be tougher with approvals. If it’s on your radar, it may make sense not to wait too long.

    Apply here.

    One Card = One Trip

    This is the part people don’t realize:

    You don’t need 10+ cards.
    You don’t need complicated strategies.

    One solid signup bonus can equal:

    • A family flight
    • A long weekend getaway
    • A beach trip
    • A few nights at an all inclusive resort

    That’s how most people should start.

    Simple. Focused. Strategic.

    Over the Next Few Weeks…

    I’ll be breaking down:

    • How to choose your first card
    • How to redeem points without getting overwhelmed
    • Beginner-friendly airline and hotel partners
    • Mistakes to avoid early on

    If you need help planning a trip, figuring out how to use your points, or building a strategy to earn them — message me.

    I genuinely love this stuff, and I’m always happy to help.

    Let’s make travel doable.

    Get Them Points ✈️

  • Why the Venture X Is Always in My Wallet ✨

    I don’t leave the house without my Venture X. This card has helped us score some seriously amazing redemptions, and it’s been a total keeper in our house — my husband has it too. When I say flexible miles are EVERYTHING in this hobby, I mean it.

    For our family, this card has paid for flights, hotels, rental cars, and even luxury business class seats. It’s one of my go-to cards (along with the Chase Sapphire Preferred) when I’m helping someone get started with points and miles.

    Today, let’s break down why the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is such a powerhouse — and why it might (or might not!) be right for you.

    💳 The $300 Annual Travel Credit is Super Easy to Use

    Every year you get $300 in travel credit when booking through Capital One Travel — and let me tell you, we use it every single year without even trying.

    Here are a few ways we’ve used ours:

    ✈️ Flight from Seville to Mallorca
    🚗 Rental car in Florida
    🏨 Hotel in Detroit visiting family

    That’s the beauty of this credit — it’s not complicated. You just book travel via the portal, and it applies automatically. Flights, hotels, rental cars… there are truly endless ways to use it.

    Arriving in Mallorca
    Rental cars are one of the best ways to redeem the travel credit

    🍽️ The Restaurant Reservation Hack

    One of the most underrated perks? Venture X cardholders get access to special restaurant reservations in major cities through Capital One Dining.

    That means those hard-to-get reservations suddenly become possible. If you love food or travel to big cities, this is SUCH a fun perk to use.

    🛋️ Lounge Access

    You get access to:

    • Capital One Lounges
    • Priority Pass lounges

    While guest access has changed (it’s no longer as family-friendly as it once was), it’s still amazing when traveling solo — and yes, you can absolutely grab snacks or drinks to bring back to your crew.

    Airport lounge access makes travel days feel so much smoother.

    🌍 Global Entry / TSA PreCheck Credit

    You’ll also get a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. If you don’t already have it — this alone is worth it. Faster security, easier international arrivals… total game changer.

    💰 2X on Every Purchase

    This is huge.

    You earn 2x miles on every single purchase, no bonus categories to track. Just swipe and earn. It makes this card incredibly simple to use daily.

    For travel booked through Capital One Travel, you can earn even more on flights and hotels.

    🎁 The Welcome Bonus (Yes, I Used Mine for Business Class!)

    The current sign-up bonus is strong — and I just used ours to book some very special business class flights 🙌

    Flexible miles are powerful because you can:

    • Transfer to airline partners
    • Book through the portal
    • Cover travel purchases with miles

    Options = freedom.

    Is This Card for Everyone?

    Let’s be real — this card does have a $395 annual fee.

    But between:

    • The $300 annual travel credit
    • 10,000 bonus miles every anniversary
    • Lounge access
    • Global Entry credit
    • Strong earning rates

    …I personally see the value every year.

    That said, Capital One can be very finicky with approvals. You typically want an excellent credit score (generally 740+ recommended) before applying.

    If you’re brand new to points and miles, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is often the easiest starter card. But if you can swing the annual fee and qualify, the Venture X is an incredible long-term card.

    Why I Love Flexible Miles

    Airline-specific cards can be great… but flexible miles? That’s where the magic happens.

    Being able to transfer points where you need them — instead of being locked into one airline — is what allows for those amazing redemptions.

    This is why Venture X and Sapphire are my go-to foundation cards.

    Ready to Get Started?

    If you’ve been thinking about diving into points and miles, this card could be a great fit — or maybe start with Sapphire first.

    Either way, I’m always happy to help you figure out how to use your points strategically.

    👉 Message me if you need help using your miles!

    🔗 Apply here for the Venture X
    🔗 Apply here for the Sapphire card

    Let’s go Get Them Points 💛

  • 🚨 This Is the Best Rakuten Offer We’ve Seen — And It’s Basically Free Points

    Screenshot

    Rakuten rolled out what looks like its best referral offer ever — $50 after you make qualifying purchases.
    A straight-up $50 bonus.

    And if you play this the right way? That $50 can easily turn into 5,000+ Hyatt points.🤑

    Let’s break it down the Get Them Points way.

    💻 First — How Shopping Portals Work (AKA Free Money 101)

    If you’re not using shopping portals yet, you’re leaving points on the table.

    Here’s how it works:

    1. Start your shopping trip at Rakuten.
    2. Click through to the store you were already going to use (Nike, Apple, Sephora, Walmart, Expedia, etc.).
    3. Shop like normal.
    4. Rakuten tracks it.
    5. You earn cash back.

    That’s it.

    Stores pay Rakuten a commission for sending you their way. Rakuten shares that commission with you.

    Example of what it looks like when you shop through the portal and how you can earn sooooooo many points

    It’s literally earning rewards for everyday online shopping you’re already doing.

    And the real magic?
    You stack it with your rewards credit card.

    Portal rewards + credit card points = double dip every time.

    That’s how we get them points.

    💰 The $50 Bonus (Here’s Where It Gets Good)

    Right now, new users can:

    • Sign up with a referral
    • Make qualifying purchases
    • Earn $50 bonus

    👉 Use my referral link to sign up and lock in the $50 bonus.

    🔥 The Real Play: Turn That $50 Into Travel

    Most people think Rakuten is just cash back.

    But here’s where it gets powerful.

    Instead of taking cash, you can earn points — specifically through Bilt Rewards.

    And Bilt points transfer 1:1 to some incredible travel partners — including:

    • World of Hyatt
    • American Airlines AAdvantage
    • Air Canada Aeroplan
    • Air France–KLM Flying Blue

    Here’s the math:

    $50 bonus = 5,000 points
    5,000 Hyatt points = potentially a free night at a Category 1 Hyatt

    Now we’re talking.

    📝 How To Set This Up (Don’t Skip This Part)

    Here’s exactly what to do:

    Step 1: Open a Free Bilt Account

    Bilt Rewards is the first loyalty program and co-brand credit card for renters, enabling the country’s 109 million renters to finally earn points on their largest monthly expense with no fees.

    Sign up for a free Bilt Rewards account.
    It costs nothing to join.

    👉 Important: Use the same email address you use for Rakuten.

    Step 2: Sign Up for Rakuten

    Use my referral link to create your Rakuten account and qualify for the $50 bonus.

    Step 3: Link Bilt Inside Rakuten

    Once your Rakuten account is active:

    • Go into your account settings
    • Select payout preferences
    • Choose Bilt Rewards points instead of cash

    Because you used the same email for both accounts, Rakuten can connect the two.

    Now your earnings will post as Bilt points.

    🧠 Why This Is Such an Easy Win

    You’re already shopping online.

    You might already have a purchase planned.

    This stacks with:
    • Holiday sales
    • Travel bookings
    • Big purchases
    • Credit card rewards

    Low effort. High return. Exactly what we like.

    🎯Let’s Get Them Points

    If you’re serious about maximizing everyday spend, this is step one.

    👉 Use my referral link to sign up for Rakuten.